Chapter 504
Chapter 504: Mysterious Large Group
No matter how fast we run or how much assistance Liliana offers, if we eat and then immediately sprint, my stomach will definitely protest. So for a while, we’ll just walk.
“The forest’s atmosphere has changed, hasn’t it?”
“Yeah. I wonder if we’ve crossed into the neighboring country.”
Orderju casually looked around while Liliana nodded in agreement.
“Is it really that different?”
From my perspective, it just looked like ordinary trees, and I couldn’t see any difference at all…
“Yes. Up until just now, I had the impression that the trees deep in the forest road had seen little human touch. However, since a while back, you can start to notice stumps and such, right…?”
Now that you mention it, that’s true.
Ugh… Normally, I wouldn’t think twice about seeing stumps, but facing the Forest Elves, the tension is palpable…!!
“Is it perhaps that different countries treat forests differently?”
Leila asked with a carefree tone, tilting her head.
“That may be part of it—but the biggest influence is probably the population ratio of the races. In the Ferminidia Kingdom territory, there were likely many Beastmen. They live mostly in harmony with nature, building primitive houses and not really interfering with it. On the other hand, Humans actively reshape their environment and tend to chop down trees. We have likely just entered the Feretoria Kingdom territory, where Humans were said to be the majority.”
Orderju subtly shifted his gaze.
“Look… there’s another stump over there…”
“They’ve cut quite a lot for thinning, haven’t they…?”
“Are they planning to develop this area…?”
The pressure from the Forest Elves…!!
While we were talking about this and walking along,—
“Hmm?”
Helena suddenly turned around, startled.
I realized it too later—thud thud, the sound of hard hooves—horseback riders.
And there were not just one or two. It seemed at least a dozen riders were sprinting down the road—!?
“Hmm, something’s coming.”
“Any idea why they’re chasing us, Hero?”
Orderju stroked his beard, while Helena shot him a pointed glance.
“I have a lot of ideas, to be honest…”
Even I grimaced at that.
“But I didn’t think we’d get pursued here… Huh. It doesn’t seem to be that kind of situation. There are even carriages.”
In the distance, I spotted a carriage speeding along nearly at maximum speed, surrounded by a troop of cavalry acting like guards.
“Are they soldiers?”
From that flashy banner, there’s no mistake it’s a noble’s carriage. The knights around it look pretty well-equipped, too. As expected from the Dwarf Kingdom’s home turf, they seem to have some good armor.
“Hey, travelers! Open the road! We’re coming through!”
The leading knight spotted us and shouted loudly.
Since there was no reason to block their way, we hurriedly moved to the side of the road. Thud thud, the knights and carriage sped by.
The air was tense; it felt like something serious was going on… which meant we must be getting close to the front lines.
However, the number of messengers was large, and their equipment seemed overly combat-oriented, which was concerning. Yet, they were dressed somewhat lightly compared to proper ‘knights’ who would firmly suit up for the main battlefield—it felt somewhat half-hearted…
While I pondered this, most of the knights passed us by, but the last one glanced back at us twice and yanked on the reins to suddenly halt.
The horse let out a belligerent neigh and gradually slowed down before rearing up on its hind legs.
“Whoa, whoa, easy!”
The knight somehow managed to calm the horse and turned to approach us—lifting his helmet’s visor, a young knight’s sweat-drenched face was revealed, showing a serious expression.
“Excuse me from horseback! You there, I can see you’re an experienced Forest Elf spellcaster!”
Oh, he’s not talking about us; his target is Orderju. “Experienced” is quite a modest way to put it.
However, there aren’t many spellcasters more experienced than Orderju on the continent.
“Hmm. I pride myself on having respectable skills in magic, but…?”
Orderju seemed somewhat wary, but he only hinted at it slightly, replying cheerfully.
“—Is there anyone among you who can use high-level Dispel?”
The knight asked, clearly anxious.
Orderju swiftly exchanged glances with me and Liliana.
There’s a clear aura of troublesome business. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t mind helping, but with the colossal trouble I’m already tangled up in, getting involved with important people carries too many risks—at least that seems to be the implication.
“Well, we’ve already had plenty of interactions with the former royal family, so it’s not like it’s new…”
That was force majeure—!
“Yes, we can use Dispel. Both I and him can.”
But without further thought, Liliana answered immediately.
Well… I can’t leave this kind of situation to her. Given her powers to help, it reminds me of her ‘Saint’ debut era when she was trying to save as many frontline personnel as she could. I’ve been saved by Liliana multiple times… in both my past life and this one. Now that I’m in good shape, I figure I can handle some risks and troublesome situations.
“Oh, what a stroke of luck! I would like to request your assistance to treat my lord, and I’ll reward you handsomely!”
Got it. That carriage must carry that lord. It must be a serious situation; they can’t afford to wait until they reach a large town, so they’re asking a passing Forest Elf as a last-ditch effort.
“How fortunate for you.”
Indeed. With not only Orderju but also Liliana here, this knight probably has no idea he’s asking assistance from one of the continent’s highest-tier healing groups. If they can’t get treated here, I’d say they’re out of luck regardless of where they go.
“Of course, we will help, but what sort of treatment is needed? Was it a curse?”
At Liliana’s question, the young knight grimaced like he was biting on something sour.
“…I was bitten by a vampire.”
What did you say?
“I’m using healing magic to somehow stall the progress, but becoming a thrall is just a matter of time… Please, save my lord!!”
